{"id":31725,"date":"2025-07-28T21:14:58","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T14:14:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etest.edu.vn\/?p=31725"},"modified":"2025-08-05T08:48:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T01:48:34","slug":"gmat-gre-la-gi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etest.edu.vn\/en\/gmat-gre-la-gi\/","title":{"rendered":"What is GMAT \/ GRE? Detailed answers - Comparison, structure & how to choose the right one"},"content":{"rendered":"

When preparing documents for studying abroad for a master's or doctoral degree, the two international standardized tests GMAT and GRE are often mentioned as important criteria. So\u00a0What is gmat gre?<\/strong><\/a>, what are the similarities and differences? In this article,\u00a0ETEST English for Study Abroad<\/a>\u00a0will provide detailed information about the test sections, how to compare GMAT and GRE, and instructions on choosing the right test for your needs to help you prepare.<\/p>\n

What is GMAT?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is an international standardized test designed to assess the ability to enter graduate business programs, especially MBA programs. This test is developed and administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), and is currently used by more than 2,300 business schools worldwide in the admissions process.<\/p>\n

The GMAT is designed to measure critical thinking, analytical skills, logical reasoning, and academic communication skills \u2013 key factors that predict success in the intense, high-pressure academic environment of MBA or master's programs in business.<\/p>\n

Candidates may take the GMAT at an authorized testing center up to five times within a 12-month period and no more than eight times in their lifetime. If the GMAT is taken online, candidates may only retake the test once.<\/p>\n

\"GMAT
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is designed to assess admission ability for graduate business programs, especially MBA programs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is GRE?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is an international standardized test administered and organized by ETS (Educational Testing Service). This is an entrance exam commonly used in the admission process for master's, doctoral, and some MBA or law programs at more than 1,000 universities worldwide.<\/p>\n

The GRE is designed to assess critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, analytical language, and academic writing skills \u2013 all of which are essential for success in graduate school. Compared to the GMAT, the GRE is more flexible and recognized by a wide range of disciplines, not just business.<\/p>\n

Test takers can retake the GRE up to five times within a 12-month period, with at least 21 days between each test. ETS also allows test takers to use the ScoreSelect feature, which allows you to select your best score to send to your colleges, instead of having to send all of your scores.<\/p>\n

\"GRE
The GRE is designed to assess critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, analytical language, and academic writing skills.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is the difference between GMAT and GRE?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The most obvious difference between the GMAT and the GRE lies in their intended use and acceptance range:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The GMAT is specifically designed for business and MBA programs, while<\/li>\n
  • The GRE is more versatile, used for many graduate fields of study, including social sciences, engineering, law, and even business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Additionally, the GMAT focuses on analytical logic and data integration, while the GRE assesses more on academic vocabulary and general language skills. The differences between the two exams are clearly shown in the comparison table below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    GMAT<\/strong><\/td>\nGRE<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Accepted by<\/strong><\/td>\nMost graduate business programs today<\/td>\nMost graduate programs, including business programs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Exam location<\/strong><\/td>\nTest online or at a testing center<\/td>\nTest online or at a testing center<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Cost (in US)<\/strong><\/td>\n$250 when taking the online test or $275 when taking the direct test<\/td>\n$205<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Length of the test<\/strong><\/td>\n3 hours 7 minutes + two 8 minute breaks (optional)<\/td>\n3 hours 45 minutes + one 10 minute break (optional)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Exam sections<\/strong><\/td>\nAnalytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal<\/td>\nAnalytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Point validity period<\/strong><\/td>\n5 years<\/td>\n5 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Comparison of the two exams GMAT and GRE<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    The GMAT and GRE are both standardized tests used for admission to graduate programs, but they have distinct differences in purpose, how they assess skills, and what each school requires.<\/p>\n

    Comparing the structure of the GMAT and GRE exams\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    When choosing between two exams\u00a0GMAT and GRE<\/strong>, the test structure plays a very important role because it directly affects the review strategy and output results. Although both are standard entrance exams for postgraduate study, the way the test is constructed, the duration, the number of sections and the scoring method have many differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    The difference<\/strong><\/td>\nGMAT<\/strong><\/td>\nGRE<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    How the test is performed<\/strong><\/td>\nOn computer<\/td>\nOn computer and on paper (applicable where computer tests are not available)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Test format<\/strong><\/td>\nComputer-Adaptive Testing<\/td>\nSection-Adaptive Testing on Computer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Number of exams<\/strong><\/td>\n4 parts: AWA \u2013 IR \u2013 Quant \u2013 Verbal<\/td>\n6 sections: AWA \u2013 Verbal (2) \u2013 Quant (2) \u2013 1 unscored research section<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Test duration<\/strong><\/td>\n3 hours 7 minutes<\/td>\n3 hours 45 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Analytical Writing Section (AWA)<\/strong><\/td>\n1 essay \u2013 30 minutes<\/td>\n2 Essays \u2013 60 minutes (Issue Task & Argument Task)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Integrated Reasoning (IR) Section<\/strong><\/td>\n12 questions \u2013 30 minutes<\/td>\nDo not have<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Quantitative Section<\/strong><\/td>\n1 part \u2013 31 questions \u2013 62 minutes<\/td>\n2 parts \u2013 20 questions each \u2013 total 70 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Verbal Section<\/strong><\/td>\n1 part \u2013 36 questions \u2013 65 minutes<\/td>\n2 parts \u2013 20 questions each \u2013 total 60 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Overall score<\/strong><\/td>\n200 \u2013 800 (increases in multiples of 10 points)<\/td>\n260 \u2013 340 (increases by multiples of 1 point)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Quantitative section score<\/strong><\/td>\n6 \u2013 51 (converted, calculated into total GMAT score)<\/td>\n130 \u2013 170<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Verbal Score<\/strong><\/td>\n6 \u2013 51 (converted, calculated into total GMAT score)<\/td>\n130 \u2013 170<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    IR (Integrated Reasoning) Section Score<\/strong><\/td>\n1 \u2013 8 (not included in total score)<\/td>\nNot applicable (NA)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Analytical Writing Score (AWA)<\/strong><\/td>\n0 \u2013 6<\/td>\n0 \u2013 6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Comparing the New GMAT and the New GRE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In recent years, GMAC and ETS \u2013 the two organizations behind the GMAT and GRE \u2013 have introduced shortened versions of the exam: the GMAT Focus Edition and the new GRE (shorter GRE). These improvements reflect a trend toward simplifying the test, reducing the time it takes to complete the test, and helping candidates focus on the core skills that graduate programs actually require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Parameter<\/strong><\/td>\nGMAT Focus Edition<\/strong><\/td>\nNew GRE (Shorter GRE)<\/strong><\/td>\nCurrent GRE (Classic GRE)<\/strong><\/td>\nCurrent GMAT (Classic GMAT)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Test duration<\/strong><\/td>\n2 hours 15 minutes<\/td>\n1 hour 58 minutes<\/td>\n3 hours 45 minutes<\/td>\n3 hours 7 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Number of exams<\/strong><\/td>\n3 parts<\/td>\n5 parts<\/td>\n7 parts<\/td>\n4 parts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Exam name<\/strong><\/td>\nQR \u2013 VR \u2013 DI<\/td>\nQR \u2013 VR \u2013 AWA (1 lesson)<\/td>\nQR (2) \u2013 VR (2) \u2013 AWA (2) \u2013 Test section<\/td>\nQR \u2013 VR \u2013 AWA \u2013 IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Duration of each part<\/strong><\/td>\n3 parts x 45 minutes<\/td>\nQR: 47 minutes<\/p>\n

    VR: 41 minutes<\/p>\n

    AWA: 30 minutes<\/td>\n

    		QR: 60 minutes<\/p>\n

    VR: 70 minutes<\/p>\n

    AWA: 60 minutes<\/td>\n

    		QR: 62 minutes<\/p>\n

    VR: 65 minutes<\/p>\n

    AWA: 30 minutes<\/p>\n

    IR: 30 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Total number of questions<\/strong><\/td>\n64 sentences (estimated)<\/td>\nQR: 27<\/p>\n

    VR: 27<\/p>\n

    AWA: 1<\/td>\n

    		QR: 40<\/p>\n

    VR: 40<\/p>\n

    AWA: 2<\/p>\n

    + non-scoring part<\/td>\n

    		80 sentences<\/p>\n

    QR: 31<\/p>\n

    VR: 36<\/p>\n

    IR: 12<\/p>\n

    AWA: 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Is there an essay section (AWA)?<\/strong><\/td>\nDo not have<\/td>\nYes (1 post)<\/td>\nYes (2 essays: Issue + Argument)<\/td>\nYes (1 essay)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Is there a Data Insights (DI) section?<\/strong><\/td>\nYes (20 separate questions)<\/td>\nDo not have<\/td>\nDo not have<\/td>\nNone (IR only \u2013 integrated inference)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Compare quantitative test<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The quantitative component is an important element in both exams.\u00a0GMAT<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0GRE<\/strong>, especially for candidates applying to programs that require logical thinking, data analysis, and basic mathematical skills. However, the design and assessment objectives of this section differ significantly between the two exams.<\/p>\n